Smart Microwave Oven
is a flush built-in cooking appliance that combines air fryer, toaster oven, convection oven, and microwave.
2021-2024
Lead UX
What is this Smart Microwave Oven?
In the years 2018-2020, Whirlpool conducted extensive research on microwave usage. One notable finding was that while people traditionally view microwaves as simple food and drink heaters, there is a growing excitement and need for multifunctional microwaves that allow for experimental cooking. This seemingly contradictory perception highlights the gap between current microwave capabilities and future consumer desires, presenting a significant opportunity for innovation. Consumer feedback also emphasized the importance of modern design and easy cleaning features.
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In early 2021, we kicked off this project. Finally in 2024, we launched multiple models under each brand (KitchenAid, JennAir, Whirlpool, Maytag)! The new microwave combines air-fryer, toaster oven, convection oven, and microwave into one multifunction appliance, minimizing countertop clutter. To enhance cooking performance and build consumer trust, it equipped with multiple sensors. This trust is further reinforced by the multifunctional nature of the product, showcasing its versatility and reliability. The design features a sleek look with no turntable and flush built-in design with touch keys, making it not only aesthetically pleasing but also easy to clean.
Start with blank HMIs
It took 3+ years of seamless collaborations within the cross functional team to bring this exciting product to life. At my first day in this project, besides the project introduction and awesome industrial concept, what there for me were three selected HMI boards, one for each brand and multiple models. My goal was to populate the boards with given features, design the interface on the 2.4'' non touch screen, and build seamless interactions between the screen and 30+ touch keys & 2 knobs, so the consumer could complete their cooking tasks smoothly.
Define HMI Layout
Each model has 8-14 cooking modes. Besides, there is a list of 50+ raw additional feature buckets and detailed user stories, like onboarding, tools, special modes, wifi setup, maintenance, etc,. Partnering with marketing, we evaluated all features' desirability, feasibility, and priority which helped me a lot in structuring the information architecture. In the mean while, conversations with the subject matter expert who has over 20 years experience in researching cooking products gave me invaluable insights.
With all these understanding and knowledge, I brainstormed many HMI Layout options. The Consumer Insight team helped to test it out with the initial happy path of setting up cooking, along with other marketing testing objects.
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Here are some key learnings from the 10 participants. It shows a a high level pattern that users prefer and is easy for them to follow. To further build and enhance the HMI layout, we need to look at it with the screen coherently.
2.4‘’ non-touch LCD screen design
The HMI board and LCD interface are two complementary elements that together create the user experience. All visual information is conveyed via this 2.4-inch screen. It is the first cooking product to use a 2.4-inch non-touch LCD screen, so understanding what information previous cooking products display and how the 2.4-inch screen presents this information can be helpful.
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The 2.4-inch screen has been used on laundry machines. It is typically surrounded by function keys, which creates a closer relationship between the keys and the information on the screen. For example, placing the "Water Temperature" keys underneath the screen allows the user to see the input feedback directly above. This is a significant navigation advantage, but unfortunately, it cannot be applied to cooking products due to the chosen HMI board and the more complex feature sets. However, the screen layouts still serve as a great reference for cooking products.
Initial screen layout
Using a key feature, such as running a bake function, as the starting point, the proven layout works well in the initial exploration. However, compared to laundry machines, this cooking product has a much higher level of complexity with various types of cooking and a wide range of user controls available. According to insights from previous products, having a clock is useful for users to count the cooking time. Automatically counting the cooking time for users is also helpful. Additionally, the ability to delay cooking and control the cooking process after it completes are valuable add-ons for a smart product. Meanwhile, due to technical constraints, adjustments to the information hierarchy are required. I modified the layout and design based on all these feedbacks.
Iterated screen layout
Initial design testing
Trade-offs are not made until the design is validated. Using the same screen layout and flow logic, I created wireframes and user flows for several additional features, such as running a microwave cooking session, running a food cooking session, and setting up a kitchen timer. Subsequently, I conducted an unmoderated online test to evaluate the design's ease of understanding.
Unmoderated online usability testing
13 participants (1 invalid)
15-25min per session
6 tasks covers HMI layout, cooking setup, and kitchen timer setup
Findings
Overall, participants find the entire process easy and straightforward. The information displayed on the HMI board and screen is clear and useful. Users are curious and excited about all the functions on the HMI. However, some functions, such as convect bake, are unfamiliar to a few participants. These results help me understand users' mental models when cooking with different modes, which is valuable for reprioritizing information and functions in the flow.
Build Design System
After validating the initial design, I teamed up with the UI and Motion designers to develop the design system. This involvement enabled me to shape its presentation with a focus on user-centered design and provided me with the chance to lead a design team.
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We thoroughly assessed all current screens and reviewed edge cases to create a system that accommodates as many use cases as possible. Moreover, the team excelled in choosing the appropriate fonts, color palette, and animations that precisely reflect each brand.
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- Different graphic and motion to indicate different cooking status
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- Standardize text box size and truncation rules
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- Swipe to next screen horizontally to read the entire message. Pressing left and right arrow to flip is nature. User controls reading speed.
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- Visual design that aligns with different brands
Interaction Design/ Behavior Spec
Creating an intuitive flow for a single feature is relatively simple, but designing more than 30 interconnected flows that use the same keys and screen while ensuring ease of use is a challenge. This complexity arises not only from the number of features but also from their potential interactions. My approach involves keeping all key stakeholders informed with every update and consistently testing the design and iterate the design to progressively reach the ideal solution.
RESEARCH MAP
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Design to meet user mental models
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Understanding consumers' mental models is an ongoing activity. We might not have the resources to run a single research session to figure out everything, but feedback and insights constantly collected from user interviews, customer visits, and usability testing eventually provide solid results. Designing to meet users' mental models makes the product intuitive and requires no additional learning.
Cooking is an everyday task for most people, and there are common mental models. For example, when selecting "Bake," users expect to see the temperature picker, while when selecting "Microwave," they want to enter the heating time next.
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Form new interactions/behaviors for long term benefit
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This microwave combines multiple functions, requiring a change in how users perceive a microwave. For example, both microwaving and baking food can happen in the same appliance. However, this might cause misunderstandings, such as assuming the baking function can be used with a plastic plate.
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Such misunderstandings could lead to severe damage if things go wrong. To mitigate this risk, the current solution is to add a non-skippable instruction screen before the user starts the cooking function every time. While this might be annoying, it is necessary due to the potential risks. We plan to collect feedback from consumers to determine if this measure needs to be adjusted.
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Design smartly to reduce friction
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Some features did not receive positive feedback regarding their value and desirability, but still needed to be included in the product due to project scope and market competition. One such feature is the "Cook Timer," which is tied to a cooking function and automatically turns off the cooking when the time is up.
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From consumer home visits, we found that people never noticed this function, even when it was prominently displayed on a simple HMI. Users did not understand the function by its name and therefore never bothered to try it out. After we explained the feature, some people felt it was nice and said they would try it, but more did not see its value because they use Alexa to set timers. They also did not want the product to turn off automatically, as they might need to cook longer. In fact, the automatic shutdown confused and frustrated some users.
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To reduce the friction this feature might cause, I hid it as an optional feature during the cooking setup flow. This allows users to set up cooking with minimal steps while still having the option to explore the feature if desired.​
"Bake" Flow
"Bake" Happy Path
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Define Interaction pattern
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Besides designing specific features, I developed numerous interaction standards that will be applied across cooking products using the same or similar HMI. These standards include button behaviors, number entry behaviors, sound behaviors, popup behaviors, and more. The process of creating these standards helped me better understand user behaviors and served as an excellent exercise in writing clear and sustainable documentation for everyone.
Development Assistant
When the design moves into the development phase, feedback will come from various perspectives, such as hardware, software, safety, legal, marketing, food science, and testing. This is when the team works together to orchestrate and integrate all these elements.
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Handing off design deliverables is never the end of the project for a designer. It is crucial for designers to help the development team understand the design and to track implementation quality to ensure the design intent is realized.
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During this phase, designers often receive pushbacks and requests to modify the design to accommodate development needs. Many of these issues can be addressed through effective communication. As more parties become involved, communication gaps can increase. My first step in addressing pushback is always to identify the root cause. Once the real reason is revealed, I can find appropriate solutions.
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Additionally, this process involves continuously improving the design specifications, as some corner cases can only be discovered during implementation, especially those related to technical aspects.
Reflection
This is so exciting! I built a home appliance from concept to completion with a team of experts from various disciplines. It wasn't just about solving a single problem; it was a journey of discovering problem spaces and exploring solution spaces.
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After this experience, I recognize my potential in project planning, strategy, and design/research execution.
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Beyond the insights gained from design and research practices, the most valuable skills I've developed are communication and leadership, which will greatly benefit my future projects and personal growth.
